Comments on: The No campaign needs to explain why there can’t be referendums about other ‘hobbies’

By: A Montebello

A Montebello — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 07:13:19 +0000

Is there anywhere we can go – like a website or a FB page – where we can get the correct answers.

I don’t know how to answer this argument calmly:

“I am no hunter and hate the killing of animals, but why must it be always us maltese to come up with something like this while all Europe still has it’s open season in March ….. who am I to say NO to hunting in March to maltese hunters while hunting still goes on in the EU”.

Of course he has no qualms in going against the environmentalists and animal lovers.

Please someone, tell me how to answer.

[Daphne – It’s very simple.

1. He is completely wrong.

2. March is the last month of winter and not spring. Spring begins in the last week of March.

3. The spring hunting season does not begin in March but in April.

4. No other EU member state allows hunting in spring. We are the only one. We have special permission called a DEROGATION FROM THE LAW.

5. The reason spring hunting is not allowed in the whole of the European Union except Malta is because of conservation. This is when birds nest and breed. The pressure is on for Malta to pull the same conservation rope, particularly given that the birds we kill are the ones that should be nesting elsewhere in Europe.

6. Maltese hunters organise trips to Serbia to shoot birds because Serbia is not an EU member state.]

By: Mario B.

Mario B. — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 04:41:01 +0000

I’m in favour of the NO vote but deep in my heart I feel that the Yes will win because the fear campaign being used by those in favour of a Yes vote is effective among fireworks enthusiasts.

I know several of them who have changed their opinion how to vote because they fear that fireworks will be next.

I agree with you Daphne that the NO campaign must do something and right away, the sooner the better before it’s too late.

By: ciccio

ciccio — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 10:11:36 +0000

In reply to Fido. If I vote YES, it will be solely because of those leading the SHOUT campaign.

By: David

David — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:41:59 +0000

If we had a referendum on EU and divorce, why shouldn’t we have referendum on horses and fireworks if enough public support for these issues is gathered?

By: jd

jd — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:38:13 +0000

In reply to chico. White flag? What white flag? They are in hibernation. I am not sure if they will wake up in time.

By: Charles Mizzi

Charles Mizzi — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:26:41 +0000

In reply to FP.

I don’t really agree with that. The people have the supreme power and should have the ultimate say in how they want their country to function in every aspect.

The only exception might be with minority group related issues.

You have to have faith that the electorate is going to act responsibly and in the best interest of the country.

By: Fido

Fido — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:39:39 +0000

In reply to Oscar Cassar. If I were to vote strictly on the basis of those presenting the SHOUT campaigm, I would eagerly vote "yes"!

By: M.

M. — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:27:07 +0000

https://carmelcacopardo.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/il-loghob-tan-nar-z-zwiemel-u-r-referendum/

By: chico

chico — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 18:04:11 +0000

“It is so important for the No campaign to drive this point across”. Sorry, but I’m afraid the white flags are already fluttering out there.

By: FP

FP — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 18:00:46 +0000

In reply to Clueless. That fear may or may not be justified. The fact is that whichever way they vote in THIS referendum will have absolutely no bearing on any eventual referendum about their hobby or any other.